2011 VOLVO S40 warning

08 Car care
Washing and cleaning the car
08

207
Automatic washing – simple and quickWe do NOT recommend washing your car in an
automatic wash during the first few months
(because the paint will not have hardened suf-
ficiently).
An automatic wash is a simple and quick way
to clean your car, but it is worth remembering
that it may not be as thorough as when you
yourself go over the car with sponge and water.
Keeping the underbody clean is most impor-
tant, especially in the winter. Some automatic
washers do not have facilities for washing the
underbody.
CAUTION
•Before driving into an automatic car
wash, turn off the optional rain sensor to
avoid damaging the windshield wipers.
•Make sure that side view mirrors, auxil-
iary lamps, etc, are secure, and that any
antenna(s) are retracted or removed.
Otherwise there is risk of the machine
dislodging them
•Chromed wheels: Clean chrome-
plated wheels using the same deter-
gents used for the body of the vehicle.
Aggressive wheel-cleaning agents can
permanently stain chrome-plated
wheels.
WARNING
•When the car is driven immediately after
being washed, apply the brakes several
times in order to remove any moisture
from the brake linings.
•Engine cleaning agents should not be
used when the engine is warm. This
constitutes a fire risk.
Exterior lightingCondensation may form temporarily on the
inside of the lenses of exterior lights such as
headlights, fog lights, or taillights. This is nor-
mal and the lights are designed to withstand
moisture. Normally, condensation will dissi-
pate after the lights have been on for a short
time.
Polishing and Waxing
•Normally, polishing is not required during
the first year after delivery, however, wax-
ing may be beneficial.
•Before applying polish or wax the vehicle
must be washed and dried. Tar spots can
be removed with kerosene or tar remover.
Difficult spots may require a fine rubbing
compound.
•After polishing use liquid or paste wax.
•Several commercially available products
contain both polish and wax.
•Waxing alone does not substitute for pol-
ishing a dull surface.
•A wide range of polymer-based waxes can
be purchased today. These waxes are easy
to use and produce a long-lasting, high-
gloss finish that protects the bodywork
against oxidation, road dirt and fading.
•Do not polish or wax your vehicle in direct
sunlight (the surface of the vehicle should
not be warmer than 113 °F (45 °C).
CAUTION
Volvo does not recommend the use of long-
life or durable paint protection coatings,
some of which may claim to prevent pitting,
fading, oxidation, etc. These coatings have
not been tested by Volvo for compatibility
with your vehicle's clear coat. Some of them
may cause the clear coat to soften, crack,
or cloud. Damage caused by application of
paint protection coatings may not be cov-
ered under your vehicle's paint warranty.

09 Maintenance and servicing
Hood09
217 Opening the hood
G031032
To open the hood:
1. Pull the lever located under the left side of
the dash to release the hood lock.
2. Lift the hood slightly.
3. Press up the release control located under
the front edge of the hood (at the center)
up to the right, and lift the hood.
WARNING
Check that the hood locks engage properly
when closed.

09 Maintenance and servicing
Engine compartment 09
218
G026456
Cooling system expansion tank
Power steering fluid reservoir (concealed
behind the headlight)
Dipstick – engine oil
Radiator
Cooling fan
Washer fluid reservoir
Engine oil filler cap
Brake/clutch fluid reservoir
Battery
Relay/fuse box
Air cleaner
WARNING
The cooling fan may start or continue to
operate (for up to 6 minutes) after the engine
has been switched off.

09 Maintenance and servicing
Engine oil 09
220
WARNING
Do not allow oil to spill onto or come into
contact with hot exhaust pipe surfaces
NOTE
Volvo uses different systems to indicate a
low oil level or pressure. Some models have
an oil pressure sensor, in which case a
warning symbol (see page 60) is used to
indicate low oil pressure. Other models have
an oil level sensor, in which case the driver
is alerted by the warning symbol in the cen-
ter of the instrument panel and a text in the
information display. Some models use both
systems. Contact an authorized Volvo
retailer for more information.

09 Maintenance and servicing
Fluids 09
222
WARNING
Never remove the radiator cap while the
engine is warm. Wait until the vehicle cools.
If it is necessary to top off the coolant when
the engine is warm, unscrew the expansion
tank cap slowly so that the overpressure
dissipates.
Brake fluid
G020333
Brake fluid reservoir
The brake fluid should always be between the
MIN and MAX marks on the side of the reser-
voir. Check, without removing the cap, that
there is sufficient fluid in the reservoir.Fluid type: DOT 4+ boiling point >536 °F
(>280 °C), P/N 9437433
Replace: The fluid should be replaced accord-
ing to the intervals specified in the Warranty
and Service Records Information booklet.
When driving under extremely hard conditions
(mountain driving, etc), it may be necessary to
replace the fluid more often. Consult your
Volvo retailer. Always entrust brake fluid
changing to a trained and qualified Volvo serv-
ice technician.
WARNING
•If the fluid level is below the MIN mark
in the reservoir or if a brake-related
message is shown in the information
display: DO NOT DRIVE. Have the car
towed to a trained and qualified Volvo
service technician and have the brake
system inspected.
•Dot 4+ should never be mixed with any
other type of brake fluid.
Power steering fluid
The fluid level is checked at each service inter-
val.
Fluid type: Volvo power steering fluid or equiv-
alent.
Replace: No fluid change required.
WARNING
If a problem should occur in the power
steering system or if the vehicle has no elec-
trical current and must be towed, it is still
possible to steer the vehicle. However, keep
in mind that greater effort will be required to
turn the steering wheel.

09 Maintenance and servicing
Battery 09
224
Battery maintenance
Driving habits and conditions, climate, the
number of starts, etc., all affect the service life
and function of the battery. In order for your
battery to perform satisfactorily, keep the fol-
lowing in mind:
Check the fluid level in each cell in the battery
every 24 months or every 15,000
1 miles
(24,000 km), whichever is sooner.
•Use a screw driver to open the caps or
cover and a flashlight to inspect the level.
•If necessary, add distilled water. The level
should never be above the indicator.
•The fluid level should be checked if the
battery has been recharged.
•After inspection, be sure the cap over each
battery cell or the cover is securely in
place.
•Check that the battery cables are correctly
connected and properly tightened.
•Never disconnect the battery when the
engine is running, or when the key is in the
ignition. This could damage the vehicle's
electrical system.
•The battery should be disconnected from
the vehicle when a battery charger is used
directly on the battery.
•To help keep the battery in good condition,
the vehicle should be driven for at least 15
minutes a week or connected to a charger
with an automatic charging function.
•If the battery is fully discharged a number
of times, this may shorten its service life.
Keeping the battery fully charged helps
prolong its service life.
•The service life of a battery is affected by
factors such as driving conditions and cli-
mate. Extreme cold may also further
decrease the battery’s starting capacity.
•Because the battery’s starting capacity
decreases with time, it may be necessary
to recharge it if the vehicle is not driven for
an extended period of time or if the vehicle
is usually only driven short distances.
•
WARNING
PROPOSITION 65 WARNING!
Battery posts, terminals, and related acces-
sories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the state of California
to cause cancer and reproductive harm.
Wash hands after handling.
Battery symbols
Wear protection goggles
See owner's manual for
details
Keep away from children
Corrosive
1More frequently in warm climates.

09 Maintenance and servicing
Battery09
225
No smoking, no open flames,
no sparks
Explosion
Battery replacement
Removing the battery1. Switch off the ignition and remove the key.
2. Wait at least 5 minutes after switching off
the ignition before disconnecting the bat-
tery so that all information in the vehicle's
electrical system can be stored in the con-
trol modules.
3. Remove the cover over the battery.
4. Disconnect the battery negative (ground)
cable.
5. Disconnect the positive cable.
6. Remove the front side of the battery box
with a screwdriver.7. Release the clamp holding the battery.
8. Lift out the battery.
Installing a new battery1. Put the battery in place in the engine com-
partment.
2. Install the battery's retaining clamp.
3. Reinstall the front side of the battery box.
4. Connect the positive cable.
5. Connect the ground cable.
6. Reinstall the cover over the battery.
NOTE
Used batteries should be properly disposed
of at a recycling station or similar facility, or
taken to your Volvo retailer.
WARNING
•Never expose the battery to open flame
or electric spark.
•Do not smoke near the battery.
•Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do
not allow battery fluid to contact eyes,
skin, fabrics or painted surfaces. If con-
tact occurs, flush the affected area
immediately with water. Obtain medical
help immediately if eyes are affected.

09 Maintenance and servicing
Replacing bulbs 09
226
Introduction
Before replacing bulbs in your vehicle, please
keep the following points in mind:
NOTE
Never touch the glass of bulbs with your fin-
gers. Grease and oils from your fingers
vaporize in the heat and will leave a deposit
on the reflector, which will damage it.
The optional Active Bending Light bulbs
contain trace amounts of mercury. These
bulbs should always be disposed of by a
trained and qualified Volvo service techni-
cian.
Certain bulbs should only be replaced by a
trained and qualified Volvo service techni-
cian:
•Courtesylighting
•Reading lights
•Glove compartment lights
•Turn signals and courtesy lights in the
side door mirrors
•Brake lights
•Active Bending Lights, Brake lights
Removing the headlight housing
WARNING
•The engine should not be running when
changing bulbs.
•If the engine has been running just prior
to replacing bulbs in the headlight hous-
ing, please keep in mind that compo-
nents in the engine compartment will be
hot.
G019599
The entire headlight housing must be lifted out
when replacing the high/low beam, parkinglight, turn signal, and side marker bulbs. To lift
out the housing:
1. Remove the key from the ignition and turn
the headlight switch to position
.
2. Open the hood.
3. Pull up the headlight housing's retaining
pin.
4. Pull out the headlight housing.
G019600
5. Disconnect the wiring connector by press-
ing down the clip with your thumb while at
the same time pulling the connector with
your other hand.